Inheriting an Amazon

[NikiAndBeyond]

My aunt is getting up in age, and I'm in her will for her Amazon, Freddie. I think Freddie is a yellow fronted. I love my aunt to death, but she really hasn't done right by him. He's 30+ years old, hasn't ever been caged, and hasn't properly been exposed to toys. He just sits and looks out the window. Up until less than a year ago, he spent his entire life on something like: A&E T-Stand with Casters. After repeated suggestions that she get him a proper place to play, she upgraded to: HQ Large Play Stand / Play Gym with Large Ring. There's a single string of blocks toy that he doesn't know what to do with and ignores.

I'm the logical choice to get Freddie, since I'm the bird person in the family. Even now I try to improve his quality of life. I unfruitfuly keep suggesting a shower perch for him, and I'm currently making him an atom made out of a hula hoop frame so she'll routinely give him some outside time. Even so, I dread the possibility of ever getting him. Freddie is the meanest bird I've ever come across. If you so much as go in the room, he repeatedly lunges, with every intention to rip out a chunk of you.

He adores my aunt, and even she can only seldomly handle him.

When I get him, he may be 40+ years old. With how his life has gone, would he be irreparably set in his ways? With his consistent aggression, I see little chance of rehabilitation. Would it be best to just build a nice aviary and "put him out to pasture"?

There's one small hope, I guess. Once he's on you, he generally won't bite you. One time at my aunt's for a party, I'd had enough to drink that I stupidly attempted to handle him. I moved quick enough that I startled him off the perch and onto my arm. I spent the next hour petting him and giving him head scratches. I lucked out, but I doubt I'd ever be so brave sober.

The last option is that I refuse to take him, but I imagine he'll wind up as a breeder or worse.

[MaryG1959]

The largest cage you can afford is a good place to start....

Amazons can be nippy and unfriendly---and at his age may never warm up...so I hope that it is ok that you just provide him with a great home, good food, security and lots of toys.

I have a severe macaw who's between 30 and 50 yrs old. (closer to the 50 we believe)....he had a horrible past life and we have had him for about 6 yrs. For the first six months he wouldn't let anyone touch him---I can now do anything to him.

A 40 yr old bird may never "warm up"...but that is ok in my opinion.

Putting a social animal who needs his "flock" "out to pasture" so to speak is a lonely life at best. I say, a large cage in a well-used part of your home, lots of toys, proper veterinary care and people who care enough to not force themselves on him is a WONDERFUL thing.

Congratulations and thank you for giving this older guy a good home!!

[DeguMom]

Sounds like great advice there!

I think it's wonderful that you are willing to take this special guy in, and try to give him what he needs to keep him happy.

While it's possible he'll just be set in his ways forever, I'd be willing to bet that after a while (maybe even a couple of years) of being treated respectfully and lovingly, and seeing that his needs are being met in every way - he may warm up some. I just imagine he'll see the difference in his life, and I'd be shocked if he didn't respond accordingly, at least a little.

However, even if he doesn't, I think it's wonderful to give a parrot a happy "retirement home". Sounds like he's more than earned it!

[Newticus]

It's a lot of responsibility to take on a parrot, let alone an older and agressive one. No one begrudge you if you declined to take him into your home. But parrots are very adaptable, much more so then dogs and cats. I would think if you did take him and you put in a little effort he would probably come around. Even if it's just head scritches through the bars of his cage, it would be an improvement from his current situation. And if it never even gets that far at least he has a good place to live and is allowed to be the bird he is.

Melanie

[debbielabella]

I hope you are able to take him in but you shouldn't feel obligated. It would be great even if you can't take him in, to be the person to find him a good home, so that he can live out the remainder of his days enjoying life the way he should. He needs an enriching environment. It would be nice if she left some money aside for him for an aviary style cage, if he's not used to a cage he will need something very large at first to adapt. It's her responsibility to do right by him if she's planning on leaving him to you to also provide for a propper cage, but I guess that's not an easy subject to bring up.

[Chief's Mom]

Yep, I have to agree with Mary. And you never know, with a change in his scenery, he may adapt rather well to your house after being with your aunt for so long...especially if you have other birds for him to 'flock' with.

Amazons tend to have a ton of 'personality' and display both the good and bad sides of it. Kiwi, our rehomed Orange-wing is about 11 years old, and she can get pretty moody, but she knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. If you do end up getting Freddie and he stays happy and healthy in a big cage and hanging out on his playstand, I would not hesitate a bit to keep him.

And keep in mind that Freddie may know you're afraid of his flesh-eating skills. That may be why you were able to step him up after a few drinks...less inhibitions, less hesitations....or maybe you were just lucky !